State Rep. David Rutigliano Reminds Trumbull About ‘Drug Take-Back Day’

On Saturday, October 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Trumbull Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring your pills for disposal to the Middlebrook School on 220 Middlebrooks Avenue in Trumbull.

Medications must be in original containers, with names crossed out. Expired or unwanted prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and vitamins/nutritional supplements will also be accepted.

Help prevent over-the-counter (cough medicine, pain relievers, etc.) and prescription drug abuse by dropping off any unwanted, expired, or unused medicines, vitamins, or nutritional supplements. All medications must be in original containers, with all names crossed out.

**The service is free and anonymous, no questions will be asked**

No needles or sharps will be accepted.

Examples of sharps include:
• Needles – hollow needles used to inject drugs (medication) under the skin
• Syringes – devices used to inject medication into or withdraw fluid from the body
• Lancets, also called “fingerstick” devices – instruments with a short, two-edged blade used to get drops of blood for testing. Lancets are commonly used in the treatment of diabetes.
• Auto Injectors, including epinephrine and insulin pens – syringes pre-filled with fluid medication designed to be self-injected into the body
• Infusion sets – tubing systems with a needle used to deliver drugs to the body.
• Connection needles/sets – needles that connect to a tube used to transfer fluids in and out of the body. This is generally used for patients on home hemodialysis.
In 2017, Rep. Rutigliano authored a new law which allows for the proper disposal of unused prescription drugs at certain state pharmacies.

The legislation allows up to 50 retail locations during the first year and not more than an additional fifty retail locations in each year thereafter, at Connecticut licensed pharmacies to accept and dispose of unused prescription drugs.

Pharmacies all over the country have started to offer this service, since being allowed by the federal government in 2014. By starting to make this practice legal in Connecticut, we can add another tool in the toolbox for drug abuse prevention.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 27, Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website.